ANSWER: C

ANSWER: D

ANSWER: C

ANSWER: C

• The ongoing monkeypox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo poses an escalating threat, not just to the nation but to the entire world.
• Also, the World Health Organization has confirmed sexual transmission of monkeypox in the Congo for the first time as the country’s experiences its biggest-ever outbreak.

ABOUT M-POX

• It was first reported in 1958, in monkeys in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and in humans in 1970, also in the DRC.
• Monkeypox, also called mpox, has been endemic in parts of Central and West Africa for decades, where it mostly jumped into humans from animal and caused limited outbreaks.
• The natural reservoir of the virus is unknown – various small mammals such as squirrels and monkeys are susceptible.
• Transmission can occur through contact with bodily fluids, lesions on the skin or on internal mucosal surfaces, such as in the mouth or throat, respiratory droplets and contaminated objects.
• The monkeypox virus causes fever, chills, rash, and lesions on the face or genitals.
• Most people recover within several weeks without requiring hospitalisation.
• There is no specific treatment or vaccine available for Monkeypox infection.

ANSWER: B

• The Investor Risk Reduction Access (IRRA) is a platform that will act as a ‘safety net’ for investors in case of technical glitches faced by a trading member or a stock broker registered with SEBI.
• It will provide investors an opportunity to close open positions and cancel pending orders in case of disruption at the stock brokers’ end.
• It is not meant for taking fresh positions or orders, but only to cancel the pending orders.
• IRRA has been jointly developed by all the stock exchanges – BSE, NSE, NCDEX, MCX and Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India (MSE) and was launched by Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
• However, IRRA is not available for algo trading and Institutional clients.
  • Securities available for trading and settlement on a Trade-for-Trade basis will not be available for square-off.

ANSWER: A

• The Bihar government has urged the Centre to incorporate the hiked reservation for deprived castes from 50 to 65 per cent in state government jobs and educational institutions in the 9th schedule of the Constitution, so that it is guaranteed immunity from legal scrutiny.
• The Ninth Schedule of the Constitution includes a list of Central and state laws that cannot be challenged in courts.
  • It was added by Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951.
• In 1992 Indra Sawhney v Union of India verdict, the Supreme Court had capped reservations for the backward classes at 50 per cent.

 I R COELHO V. STATE OF TAMIL NADU (2007) JUDGEMENT

• The nine-judge bench had delivered a unanimous verdict on January 11, 2007 in Coelho v. State of Tamil Nadu and others case, upholding the ‘Basic Structure Doctrine’.
• The authority of the judiciary to review any such laws, which destroy or damage the basic structure as indicated in Art.21 read with Art.14, Art.19 and the principles underlying there under, are open to judicial scrutiny, even if they have been put in 9th Schedule after April 14, 1973.
• This case is popularly known as The Ninth Schedule Case.

ANSWER: D

• The 17th edition of the Joint Military Exercise SURYA KIRAN is set to strengthen the longstanding ties between India and Nepal in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.
• It is an annual event and conducted alternatively in the two countries.
• The Indian Army contingent comprising of 354 personnel is being led by a Battalion from the KUMAON Regiment.
• The Nepal Army contingent is represented by Tara Dal Battalion.
• Aim of the exercise is to enhance interoperability in jungle warfare, counter terrorism operations in mountainous terrain and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief under United Nations Charter on peace keeping operations.

ANSWER: C

• India celebrates Constitution Day or Samvidhan Diwas on November 26^th.
• Earlier, this day was celebrated as Law Day but in 2015 the Indian government modified Law Day as Constitution Day.
• November 26 marks the day when India adopted its constitution in the year 1949.
• The Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950.
• BR Ambedkar, known for championing the cause of the downtrodden, was the head of the committee that finalised the draft of the Indian Constitution.
• The completion of the draft had taken 2 years, 11 months and 17 days.